Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ particularly characterized by its firm fruit, large fruit size, medium vivid red fruit color, sweet fruit flavor, upright growth habit, and medium vigor, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ was discovered in Tangancicuaro, Mexico in October of 2012, and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘107P238’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,218). A single plant was selected and asexually propagated via stolons in Zapotlan, Mexico.

‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at a farm in Tangancicuaro, Mexico for six years (2012 to 2017). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Tangancicuaro, Mexico:

-   -   1. Large plant size;     -   2. Large fruit with sweet flavor; and     -   3. Earlier production.

‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ was selected for its flavor, fruit size, and shelf-life.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, as well as the flowers and leaves. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are five months old.

FIG. 1A illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’.

FIG. 1B illustrates longitudinal cross-sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’.

FIG. 2 illustrates the upper and lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’.

FIG. 3A shows the upper surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’.

FIG. 3B shows the lower surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the overall plant habit including fruit at various stages of development of variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Tangancicuaro, Mexico from 2012 to 2017. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ was taken from plants that were five months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘107P238’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’             (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,218). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—20.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—33.7 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—6.         -   Growth habit.—Upright. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—12.         -   Diameter at bract.—3.47 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 180B (Moderate red). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS 139A (Dark yellowish green).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 8.8 cm. Width: 7.8 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.1. Number of teeth/terminal             leaflet: 22. Shape of base: Rounded. Margin: Serrate to             crenate. Shape in cross section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 15.7 cm. Diameter: 4.38 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Upwards. Bract frequency (number present on each             petiole): 1.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 9.80 mm. Diameter: 2.31 mm.         -   Stipule.—Length: 4.5 cm. Width: 18.80 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Present. Anthocyanin color: RHS 58C (Strong             purplish red). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Beneath.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Upwards.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 26.30 mm. Arrangement of petals:             Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Typical and observed number of             flowers per plant: 18.90.         -   Petal.—Length: 15.60 mm. Width: 15.30 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.0. Typical and observed petal number: 6. Color of             upper side: RHS 155A (Pale yellow-green).         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 56.20 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 26.50 mm. Width: 16.60 mm. Typical and observed             sepal number: 12. -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—49.70 mm.         -   Width.—33.36 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.5.         -   Fruit hollow length.—16.00 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—3.60 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—4.4.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Color.—RHS 45A (Vivid red).         -   Position of achenes.—Above surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 42A (Vivid reddish             orange).         -   Color of core.—RHS 37A (Strong yellowish pink). -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—October to March.         -   Harvest interval.—October to March.         -   Type of bearing.—Partially everbearing to partially             remontant.         -   Productivity.—30997 kg to 40893 kg of fruit per hectare per             season from ten-month-old plants when grown in             Tangancicuaro, Mexico. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests and diseases:     -   -   Heat.—Moderately resistant.         -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Lygus bug (lygus hesperus).—Susceptible.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately resistant.         -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Xanthomonas fragariae.—Moderately susceptible.         -   Black root rot.—Moderately susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘107P238’ (unpatented) in that ‘107P238’ is a short-day variety, whereas ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ is not a short-day variety. Moreover, fruit ‘107P238’ is sweeter than fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’.

‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,218) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ are larger in size compared to plants of ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’. Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ are larger and have a sweeter flavor compared to fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’. Moreover, fruit production of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ is earlier than that of ‘DrisStrawSeventeen’.

‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Driscoll Osceola’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,752) in that leaves of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ are blue-green on the upper side, while leaves of ‘Driscoll Osceola’ are medium green on the upper side. Additionally, plants of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ have inflorescence beneath foliage, while plants of ‘Driscoll Osceola’ have inflorescence on the same level with foliage. Moreover, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ are medium red, while fruit of ‘Driscoll Osceola’ are dark red.

‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ differs from the commercial variety ‘DrisStrawThirtySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,866) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ have an upright growth habit, while plants of ‘DrisStrawThirtySeven’ have a semi-upright growth habit. Additionally, terminal leaflets of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ have a concave shape in cross section, while terminal leaflets of ‘DrisStrawThirtySeven’ have a convex shape in cross section. Moreover, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ are larger in size than fruit of ‘DrisStrawThirtySeven’. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixtyOne’ as shown and described herein. 